Virender Sehwag Tears Apart Steve Smith For His Dirty Tricks Against India On The Final Day Of The Sydney Test

Former India cricketer, Virender Sehwag launches an attack on Steve Smith after Australia’s talisman batsman was caught on video scuffing Rishabh Pant’s batting guard on Day 5 of the Sydney Test.

India was set a  gigantic target of 407 on Day 4. Pant walked in to bat in the second over of Day 5 after the dismissal of skipper Ajinkya Rahane. He took a few overs to set himself and then launched an attack on the Aussie bowlers, Nathan Lyon, in particular.

Pant made look the target of 407, which once seemed unscalable, as achievable and lit the glimmer of hope for the Indian fans. The southpaw, against a stronger match-up of Nathan Lyon, who would spin the ball away from him, hammered the off-spinner for three scintillating sixes, along with a flurry of boundaries against all the Aussie bowlers.

The 23-year-old was dealing with elbow pain, which he sustained while batting in the first innings, and still managed to put Lyon off his length. The off-spinner had the last laugh when he got rid of the flamboyant batsman three runs short of his hundred. However, Pant’s counter-attack released pressure off from Cheteshwar Pujara. Both occupied the crease for 261 balls as India draw out the game.

Australia tried all tricks: Virender Sehwag

A video has emerged which will put Steve Smith under heavy scrutiny. Smith, who was banned in 2018 for his involvement in the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ in South Africa, is seen scratching and trying to remove the guard of Rishabh Pant.

During one of the drinks break, Smith came to the batting crease and did shadow practice as a left-hander. Before leaving the pitch, as play was about to resume, Smith is seen scuffing the spot where Pant had his batting guard. Moments later, Pant comes to face the ball and fails a couple of times to search the guard he has marked.

Virender Sehwag, who is heavily active on social media, took to Twitter to take a dig on the Aussie and Smith as the hosts fail to bowl India out. The 2011 World Cup-winning opener is also proud of the way the Indian team, despite all the injuries and the off-field controversies, survived 4 sessions in the fourth innings.

“Tried all tricks including Steve Smith trying to remove Pant’s batting guard marks from the crease. Par kuch kaam na aaya. Khaaya peeya kuch nahi, glass toda barana. But I am so so proud of the effort of the Indian team today. Seena chonda ho gaya yaar,” the former opener tweeted.

The action moves to Australia’s fortress, The Gabba in Brisbane where they haven’t lost since 1988. The fourth and the last Test of the series commences on 15th January.

Tried all tricks including Steve Smith trying to remove Pant's batting guard marks from the crease. Par kuch kaam na aaya. Khaaya peeya kuch nahi, glass toda barana.
But I am so so proud of the effort of the Indian team today. Seena chonda ho gaya yaar. pic.twitter.com/IfttxRXHeM

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 11, 2021

Also Read: Australia vs India: BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla Criticizes Team India For Not Winning The Sydney Test